tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25039304647698413082024-03-04T23:21:14.834-05:00Bitty's Buried in Booksbittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.comBlogger326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-75946550651716475632018-01-02T09:29:00.001-05:002018-01-02T09:29:55.480-05:00The Cottage Kitchen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIcgbamdpc5Dcug_okwTTDaF5-U9snt-p2vDJlUOX04_Y8bYVF4r1ZTlDE1_OiHHuN3Ylv4erRlGyRCDmgJ_sKoYTObS4GzhlFR-GaoC9qrYjSrglQHXl6NgGPh7lThISMBDwNXyfR5g/s1600/9780451495761.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIcgbamdpc5Dcug_okwTTDaF5-U9snt-p2vDJlUOX04_Y8bYVF4r1ZTlDE1_OiHHuN3Ylv4erRlGyRCDmgJ_sKoYTObS4GzhlFR-GaoC9qrYjSrglQHXl6NgGPh7lThISMBDwNXyfR5g/s320/9780451495761.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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<i>The Cottage Kitchen </i>is a cookbook of English countryside and Norwegian recipes. The author lives in the English countryside but born in Norway. She is also a photographer, so naturally, her cookbook is filled with beautiful pictures both of the food in various recipes and the English countryside.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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I was intrigued by the combination of English and Scandinavian cooking in this cookbook. I have English heritage, so I was intrigued to try some recipes from England. I also traveled not long ago to Sweden and fell in love with a lot of Scandinavian dishes, so I was very interested in discovering those recipes or how they combined.<br />
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I was immediately struck by the variety of recipes in this book. I knew I would be able to use them not just for everyday cooking, but for special occasions as well. I am always pleased when a cookbook offers recipes that work in a variety of settings.<br />
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The book is organized by seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Also, Afternoon Tea. I thought this was a fun way to organize the book, but also very practical if you like to get your ingredients fresh from a farmer's market, your garden, or forged.<br />
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We had family over for Thanksgiving, and we made cranberry sauce with cinnamon which not only smelled good, but tasted amazing! It was a hit with dinner. We used the leftover sauce the next morning on German Pancakes. It is a recipe I will be making again!<br />
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There were a lot of recipes I want to try, but top of the list is Troll Cream, because it has troll in the title. Who cannot help but be intrigued by that? I also want to try the Steak pie, Parsnip and Cardamon Puree, Norwegian Yellow Pea Soup with Thyme, Elderflower Fritters, and Almond Rice Cream Pudding.<br />
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The photographs in this book were beautiful and inspiring. They make you want to find an English cottage and spend all your time cooking delicious recipes. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy cooking.<br />
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**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or one that I would not have heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-81612878558928151262017-12-10T14:51:00.001-05:002017-12-10T14:54:12.360-05:00The Republic For Which It Stands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG5N4jTyCJsIiJIzqFmd3RvkUUxGmGm706F7PT4uqCipIwcpA6s2TRAE22Wz1zRjJm6BiDhDnoiPubPnn2KhdbXre4LVipK01yNJX1Oxpl7Rf-TavEFle2gvSKfIiDXukNWFbBTcxkF8/s1600/34379310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG5N4jTyCJsIiJIzqFmd3RvkUUxGmGm706F7PT4uqCipIwcpA6s2TRAE22Wz1zRjJm6BiDhDnoiPubPnn2KhdbXre4LVipK01yNJX1Oxpl7Rf-TavEFle2gvSKfIiDXukNWFbBTcxkF8/s320/34379310.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
At the end of the American Civil War, the leaders in the North envisioned a future for the country. One that was a free-labor republic with a homogenous citizenry. They were determined to reconstruct the south and the west in the image of the north. The next three decades were filled with challenges, and the unity the country paid so high a price to achieve was still out of reach. Economic, race, religious, and political differences were pervasive then as they are now. From this text we learn where modern America came from, and where many of the present day issues stem from.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
The American Civil War is a fascinating time in history to me. I lack a lot of knowledge about what happened in the aftermath of the war. This book gives an easy to comprehend history of this period, and provides a thought provoking scenarios that seem as though they are from current times. I was intrigued by how similar many of the issues seemed to present day, and how easy White made it to know where a lot of current issues in the States came from. If you are at all interested in what is happening in the States now, this might be an interesting read for you.<br />
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I think this is a history that many people should read. It will give new understanding to current issues which is always beneficial. People should not be intimidated by how long the book is. You will find yourself drawn into the history and how relatable many of the issues are. I was amazed that the book only covers thirty years of history, yet contains so much information. It also covers Emancipation, Western Expansion, Indian Policy, and Women's Suffrage.<br />
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Do not let the size or variety in topics intimidate you or make you dismiss this book as having little depth. It was absolutely fascinating to see history connected(as it is) and how the reader can make connections they might not have been able to before.<br />
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If you are interested in American History, the American Civil War, or how some modern issues came about I highly suggest you read this book.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have otherwise gotten to it or one I would not have heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-26355743393140134262017-11-30T12:12:00.001-05:002017-11-30T12:12:04.829-05:00The Girl In The Tower<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIoKdiuvFOLGxwPUGt3YOawoFvj-bfRJGQJ1o4oPu4uLUHwysubEnR-c7ggAnZhc-7f5bAb4fMeN6R59393VxAs5MaJB9KJ99TO2IJNRowSOvjUP4fOWI5FPBbxmU-ZQl9xn4DzoYyMk/s1600/34050917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIoKdiuvFOLGxwPUGt3YOawoFvj-bfRJGQJ1o4oPu4uLUHwysubEnR-c7ggAnZhc-7f5bAb4fMeN6R59393VxAs5MaJB9KJ99TO2IJNRowSOvjUP4fOWI5FPBbxmU-ZQl9xn4DzoYyMk/s320/34050917.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
The second book in the Winternight Trilogy. Continuing where <i>The Bear and the Nightingale</i> left off, we discover what happened to our beloved characters. Vasya must choose between living her life as society dictates--getting married and staying out of sight or living how she wants--free to help others and explore what the world has to offer. Vasya must save the city of Moscow when it comes under siege. She chooses adventure, disguises herself as a boy, and decides to do what she can to save the city.<br />
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<b><i>My thoughts:</i></b><br />
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The first book: <i>The Bear and the Nightingale,</i> was amazing. I was not sure if Arden would be able to maintain the momentum she started with, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the second book just as engaging as the first. I find myself anxiously awaiting the third book. This series is magical.<br />
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Arden has a wonderful ability to retell folktales in such a way the reader feels that they are reading history or historical fiction. The language grabs you so that you cannot book the book down. I found myself more engaged by this story than any other book has in a while. It was moving, enthralling, and had such real characters. I could not find anything I did not like about this book.<br />
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I am a huge fan of fairy tales and their retellings, so you can imagine how pleased I was to discover such a beautiful story. I cannot wait to discover where the trilogy goes, but what else this author writes. I felt so engaged by the characters. They jumped off the page. I became so invested in who they were and what was happening to them. I was sad when I reached the last page. I wanted the story to keep going on.<br />
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If you are a fan of fairy tales or well told tales, this book and the rest of the series is a must!<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from Bookish First in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it, or a book I would not have heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-12005408632141081952017-10-11T12:15:00.001-04:002017-10-11T12:15:40.232-04:00Sweet Potatoes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8srbPD1Zlqcz5xWOX6iPx7Uy72r-p2P0blT7-l3gIB08cy4nXh7D0fc_gfyPa75RqqnDaNF9-ZkyAdfiqYWZvMJ9IQ-rNgbIr9Rr8zRaAPylH3rigKcOFWHK0fux6cWPgFXx8Tmfjb6E/s1600/9780451499394%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8srbPD1Zlqcz5xWOX6iPx7Uy72r-p2P0blT7-l3gIB08cy4nXh7D0fc_gfyPa75RqqnDaNF9-ZkyAdfiqYWZvMJ9IQ-rNgbIr9Rr8zRaAPylH3rigKcOFWHK0fux6cWPgFXx8Tmfjb6E/s320/9780451499394%255B1%255D.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Book Summary:</em></strong><br />
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<em>Sweet Potatoes</em> is a cookbook with recipes just for those that love the delicious taste of sweet potatoes. You will learn to do wonderful things with this little cookbook filled with information about the sweet potato and around 60 recipes.<br />
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<strong><em>My Thoughts:</em></strong><br />
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I have always been a fan of the sweet potato. From a young age, a common side dish was baked sweet potato with a little butter or pepper and salt. I will admit to feeling slightly horrified the first time I ate sweet potatoes and discovered the normally delicious taste of the sweet potato to be smothered by marshmallows and brown sugar. I have since moved on to enjoying sweet potato in a variety of dishes I make. Imagine my delight with the disclaimer in the introduction that stated no marshmallows had been harmed in the making of these dishes.<br />
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This cookbook is perfect for a person who already loves the sweet potato or one who is looking to explore what can be done with one. I enjoyed the introduction to the sweet potato. We are introduced to the different varieties, how to pick out a good sweet potato at the store, knowing what size you need, and how they are grown. All of this is of great help when preparing to make these tantalizing dishes.<br />
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I had a difficult time picking just a few recipes to try out. I decided to start with the Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes, The Sweet Potato Big Macs, and the Sweet Potato Trail Mix Cookie. I have to say all three were amazing!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1dN5RP2dImF4O5sV5Zd7_xgmgm6bBlHG_Sy-dz72CEr0F14gHCRBLsmVg4UYoRuMSNsCR2rs8rgYcY5aj7_HkkE_F1iSKyg2YQYgVrPDTMOPkF2_KgBgYLZAXZTv5aT9HO3S96xZ9ns/s1600/IMG_20170926_194108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1dN5RP2dImF4O5sV5Zd7_xgmgm6bBlHG_Sy-dz72CEr0F14gHCRBLsmVg4UYoRuMSNsCR2rs8rgYcY5aj7_HkkE_F1iSKyg2YQYgVrPDTMOPkF2_KgBgYLZAXZTv5aT9HO3S96xZ9ns/s400/IMG_20170926_194108.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes fresh from the oven.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BIAxgky-ia_Di7_CVm-SLdRNZKrbsqg0UIABBd-5jgp79KeBiJljuuRoMhkGzIpJlo-r5vWkglris-nclXrYiX5wVyZ8OAut_NqEgH3iAZZc3foHWdID-L6CtNU4VRMUAojH7wNh7hs/s1600/IMG_20170926_194523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BIAxgky-ia_Di7_CVm-SLdRNZKrbsqg0UIABBd-5jgp79KeBiJljuuRoMhkGzIpJlo-r5vWkglris-nclXrYiX5wVyZ8OAut_NqEgH3iAZZc3foHWdID-L6CtNU4VRMUAojH7wNh7hs/s400/IMG_20170926_194523.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twice Baked Sweet Potato after adding toppings.<br />
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The first recipe I tried was the Twice Baked Sweet Potato. I really liked this meal. It was filling and left a lot of room for customization. I used a lot of the suggested toppings. I switched sour cream for greek yogurt as that is my preference.<br />
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The one recommendation I would have is to closely follow the direction to leave some potato. The skin gets really thin and you can easily break it when working with it.<br />
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I would definitely make this dish again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKQLa5MSK3Gj6JlS2wlqrgJ9LCIua29vMGnIOUFsNsiyF0ONC1dWhQkryFyyMGBgZPsUqxqJwQGUxsRoV0yS-WzBhvqumND_DV74nisvWPVQPjrcAQYQbC04jqPDyyeODHXvsjP9UGTA/s1600/IMG_20171002_190350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKQLa5MSK3Gj6JlS2wlqrgJ9LCIua29vMGnIOUFsNsiyF0ONC1dWhQkryFyyMGBgZPsUqxqJwQGUxsRoV0yS-WzBhvqumND_DV74nisvWPVQPjrcAQYQbC04jqPDyyeODHXvsjP9UGTA/s400/IMG_20171002_190350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Potato Big Mac</td></tr>
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Next I tried the Sweet Potato Big Mac. As you can see from the picture, I did not do the two patties and extra bun. I found it to be tall enough that for me personally, it would have been difficult to eat if it was taller. Again, I used the recommended toppings. I switched out iceberg lettuce from mixed greens as personal preference.<br />
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Make sure you make the sauce that goes with it. It was incredible. This was my favorite of the recipes tried and I cannot wait to make it again. There was a lot of flavor and I did not miss the meat at all. If you like vegetarian recipes this is a must! I hope to try it on some vegetarian friends soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPx1KhTwBRlciwmjgky_ghcwfxse_mXw8oKqx9R7L6fD3hX2zFBQKWfiqaK8AVNCHi0DkA9FNgvRBkEo920D8POBJXgCt31hC5UCJLWmx5pMhvmmC4HKbQuUemKw7v4XdZ8Wo977eTD4/s1600/IMG_20171002_190418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPx1KhTwBRlciwmjgky_ghcwfxse_mXw8oKqx9R7L6fD3hX2zFBQKWfiqaK8AVNCHi0DkA9FNgvRBkEo920D8POBJXgCt31hC5UCJLWmx5pMhvmmC4HKbQuUemKw7v4XdZ8Wo977eTD4/s400/IMG_20171002_190418.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Potato Trail Mix Cookie.<br />
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I was excited to make a dessert with sweet potato. I made these cookies for a co-worker's last day party. I was not sure how "sweet potato" cookies would be received. They were a huge hit. I took a whole bunch in, and none came home with me. Everyone was raving about the cookies. They are also one of my new favorite cookies and I will be making them often. There is a lot of flavor and they stay moist.<br />
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Some recipes I am looking forward to trying are: Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll, Sweet Potato Rolls, Sweet Potato Fries, and the Sweet Potato and Raspberry Muffins. Honestly, I want to make all the recipes, but those are some at the top of the list.<br />
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This tiny cookbook has moved to the top of my list. I found the recipes easy to make, the flavors incredible, and a good variety of recipes. I am recommending this cookbook to everyone! Enjoy the flavors and please let me know what recipes you try and like.<br />
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**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**<br />
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*<em>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or one I would not have heard about otherwise.</em></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-22978754110657736092017-10-11T09:47:00.001-04:002017-10-11T09:47:44.152-04:00The Essex Serpent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2omnLkT3K9VAGSX7-h8lPrS_OLdPuGAbaHPQReenwR4cPF7EDbjQ8a71uJXTuSxWtEDR6OikLvUoqYYZXv5GRNug1NNwj-Dizn6AUJc33OPRUmoXTF3-CvF7Gaa5-O8Afn1fruOfY-30/s1600/32075861%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2omnLkT3K9VAGSX7-h8lPrS_OLdPuGAbaHPQReenwR4cPF7EDbjQ8a71uJXTuSxWtEDR6OikLvUoqYYZXv5GRNug1NNwj-Dizn6AUJc33OPRUmoXTF3-CvF7Gaa5-O8Afn1fruOfY-30/s320/32075861%255B1%255D.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Book Summary:</em></strong><br />
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Cora Seaborne and Will Ransom are two extraordinary people who fall for each other in an unusual way. Cora is a well to do widow from London who moves to Essex parish where Will is the local Vicar. The village is engulfed in rumors about a giant serpent in the marshes. It is said it slithers about devouring people. Cora, who is a naturalist, is intrigued by the serpent and wants to find out more about it. Will sees it as a sign that his Parish has lost their way. Cora and Will find themselves drawn to each other, yet separated by their different views.<br />
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<strong><em>My Thoughts:</em></strong><br />
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I found myself identifying with Cora at the start of this novel. I wanted to learn more about this mysterious serpent that everyone was so obsessed with. I wanted to know if it was something to fear or be astounded by. While this story had great potential, I found myself wondering when something was going to happen. There was so much potential between the mysterious serpent and the undertones of romance that as a reader, I felt sure meant anything could happen on the next page. I did not ever find the gripping tale that I expected to.<br />
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I appreciated the strong female lead character that is determined to follow her own interests after denying them for so long. I wanted her to succeed and find a character I could love. I never fell in love with the characters and near the end hoped the serpent would come and eat the lot of them simply for something interesting to happen. I thought there was a lot more potential with the set up than was met.<br />
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I had also hoped that the tale might be more gothic as it was described to have gothic undertones. Or perhaps it would be a book geared more for adults similar to <em>The Memoirs of Lady Trent</em> series. But it was not either of these. I think some people might enjoy this book, but for me it was too slow and never reached stated purpose.<br />
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*<em>I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review. Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or one I would not have heard about otherwise.</em></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-11224493166680716452017-09-13T15:36:00.002-04:002017-09-13T15:36:25.474-04:00Many Sparrows<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GoiDhocQRarAytJfKLrV468bu94VKBpr8YRSAJ7gsJQCjOLFe6NMrqRMDNkYVnN6Ke6YoQr9W5IltarLpw-X20g7PE2IpZ5osYG3rLvZgXnjXxg8yt02Z_3cAHmjYJoQTHhjnkRKE-I/s1600/9781601429940%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GoiDhocQRarAytJfKLrV468bu94VKBpr8YRSAJ7gsJQCjOLFe6NMrqRMDNkYVnN6Ke6YoQr9W5IltarLpw-X20g7PE2IpZ5osYG3rLvZgXnjXxg8yt02Z_3cAHmjYJoQTHhjnkRKE-I/s320/9781601429940%255B1%255D.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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<br />
<strong><em>Book Summary:</em></strong><br />
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Clare Inglesby is widowed while crossing the mountains to a new settlement in the late 1700s. She wakes to find herself in labor and shortly after to discover her five year old son missing. It appears that he has been captured by Shawnees. She is determined to do anything she can to find him. She joins with frontiersman Jeremiah Ring to go deep into the wilderness to find him. Clare discovers that her son has already been adopted by Jeremiah's Shawnee sister who does not want to give him up.<br />
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<strong><em>My Thoughts:</em></strong><br />
<br />
I am a fan of early American historical fiction so I was ready to settle in and read this book. I found this to be an easy read. To me, the most attractive qualities of the story and characters were when they learned to view another person's perspective on a personal and cultural level. I think balancing a story set in this time period can be difficult. The author did try to put in perspectives from both cultures as she navigated this difficult line.<br />
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While I thought there could have been a little more depth to the story, it was an easy read that showed how the main character Clare was willing to challenge her own views over time to meet her goal of getting her son back. I think because the book was not very long, is why it felt rushed to me. A lot happened in the story in what felt like a short amount of time. <br />
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I would note for readers that this is a Christian Historical Fiction book, so there are mentions of personal belief from the characters, and that is a focus at times in the story. I only mention this as some readers care more than others if that is present.<br />
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If you are looking for a quick historical fiction read set in early American history, this one might interest you.<br />
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**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**<br />
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*<em>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have gotten to as soon or heard about otherwise.</em><br />
</div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-8287426360952859472017-08-16T14:55:00.000-04:002017-08-16T14:56:06.332-04:00The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCmdHZnDpX87mJ800sybPnf1JOUgj3b3P3-fG-ijQ_G5EkgiKuFTqoSMASHY5WmZPJZJxM0hSb85YBeNjnCDwldRT-GocNFG3gnqcUXANBZtFVNlmQcXTEmDFhD_hfJ8_85pSLHxjeMw/s1600/30753999%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCmdHZnDpX87mJ800sybPnf1JOUgj3b3P3-fG-ijQ_G5EkgiKuFTqoSMASHY5WmZPJZJxM0hSb85YBeNjnCDwldRT-GocNFG3gnqcUXANBZtFVNlmQcXTEmDFhD_hfJ8_85pSLHxjeMw/s320/30753999%255B1%255D.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Book Summary:</em></strong><br />
<br />
Paula Poundstone starts with the question: is there a secret to happiness? She begins a quest trying different things that are suppose to bring a person happiness in life. She offers up her experiences and results for us to peruse. Filled with humor as she honestly tells what happened to her, the results, and if she intends to continue pursuing that activity. She also tells us the reactions of her children, friends, and people around her in a way that will have you laughing.<br />
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<strong><em>My Thoughts:</em></strong><br />
<br />
I've been a fan of Paula Poundstone's for a while. I've listened to NPR for a long time, and always enjoy when she comes one <em>Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.</em> She has a great sense of humor and I was very excited to find out how she is in written form. I was not disappointed. She is not afraid to laugh at herself when her experiments go awry, and it makes her search for happiness seem very relatable. It also provides encouragement to try new things and just discover where events will take you. <br />
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While some parts of the book could seem repetitive as she had multiple experiments in the book, I think overall there was still humor to be found in each section. Some of the experiments were more hilarious than others. And some were more relatable which made them more interesting to me, but I still think despite a few spots where it lagged for me it was a fun book. <br />
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If you are looking for a completely serious approach to a search for happiness this book is not for you. If you like honestly with a lot of humor, than give this book a try.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<em>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or one I might not have heard about otherwise.</em><br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-86219781759895427702017-07-14T11:43:00.002-04:002017-07-14T11:43:41.790-04:00The Book Of Greens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VpnRHNYWXhUlvIsTNXpwQSq5Hm7Je_jZEkTdnE7ND40nTM1mqvSSSY1RExwQ_QmbO3ocwDaS5JguomYYPz7OTKGrerfGNYVMeRuvFLwNSnK-3BfNugbQAFB0QBCnxzQdBToFDmIkHT4/s1600/9781607749844%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VpnRHNYWXhUlvIsTNXpwQSq5Hm7Je_jZEkTdnE7ND40nTM1mqvSSSY1RExwQ_QmbO3ocwDaS5JguomYYPz7OTKGrerfGNYVMeRuvFLwNSnK-3BfNugbQAFB0QBCnxzQdBToFDmIkHT4/s320/9781607749844%255B1%255D.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Book Summary:</em></strong><br />
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This is an encyclopedia of greens combined with over 150 recipes to use the greens described in the book. Great for the experienced cook and the beginner, the recipes range in difficulty. This book is meant to inspire you to eat more greens in a variety of ways. <br />
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The book is organized alphabetically by the type of green and gives a little bit of information about the green such as: seasonality, nutrition, what it pares well with, prep, and storage. After the information follows a couple of recipes for that type of green.<br />
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<strong><em> My Thoughts:</em></strong><br />
<br />
I was absolutely delighted with this cookbook. The information is presented in an easy to find manner. It is presented in a very clear manner and I loved how there was some information about the type of green before each group of recipes. I think it is very helpful when buying, storing, and cooking to have some knowledge of the ingredients you are using to make the dish taste wonderful.<br />
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The book is filled with beautiful pictures that will make you want to try all the recipes in the book. Whether you are a big greens eater or new to a lot of these plants you will find inspiration in this cookbook. <br />
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I tried several recipes from this book and found them all to be very tasty. While I normally like greens and try to eat a lot of them, this is a very high recommendation because I while trying these recipes I was having difficulties eating greens due to morning sickness. I found the flavors worked well for me and I was able to eat some of the recipes in this book. I still did not eat large quantities, but I was able to enjoy some greens despite my issues.<br />
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This is a cookbook that I will continue to use. I enjoyed the information presented and the variety of recipes. I am particularly looking forward to using greens I have never used before. I found <em>The Book Of Greens</em> to be an inspiration in my everyday cooking. I am also pleased that it is a beautiful addition to my cookbook library.<br />
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If you like greens or are looking for recipes to try I highly recommend using this cookbook.<br />
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**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**<br />
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*<em>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a book I would not have gotten to as soon or heard about otherwise.</em></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-7048442216399265172017-07-14T10:24:00.000-04:002017-07-14T10:24:46.339-04:00Wolf On A String<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP2p7DYSkT3XRkUAUDzRbXHBGpGbIVbvQYn3VFqIbcZ3RuwvBdtcdtSJb_MFGJQzIeQV09fWu3JkYlrm_S90BrqNQYKufXSJ6_hakiupoBL2M-EZwmKVJKlGtCSrnerKmWp2wMXm2HgM/s1600/28696598%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP2p7DYSkT3XRkUAUDzRbXHBGpGbIVbvQYn3VFqIbcZ3RuwvBdtcdtSJb_MFGJQzIeQV09fWu3JkYlrm_S90BrqNQYKufXSJ6_hakiupoBL2M-EZwmKVJKlGtCSrnerKmWp2wMXm2HgM/s320/28696598%255B1%255D.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Book Summary:</em></strong><br />
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Christen Stern is an ambitious young scholar and alchemist. He travels to Prague in 1599 during a cold winter hoping to make his fortune in the Emperor's court. His first night in the city he stumbles upon the body of a young woman who appears to be from high society.<br />
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Christen follows his fortunes despite the obvious dangers and wins the trust of the Emperor. The Emperor decides to task him with discovering who killed the young woman--who happens to be the Emperor's mistress. Christen soon finds himself involved in a power struggle that goes deeper than he could have imagined. There are attempts to take over the throne and Christen finds that his own life is in danger. Will Christen discover the pertinent details in time to save himself and the Emperor?<br />
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<strong><em>My Thoughts:</em></strong><br />
<br />
This was my first experience reading a novel by Benjamin Black. I had heard good things about him, and I was very excited to read this book. It takes place in a time period I am very interested in and combine it with a murder it seemed very promising. I liked the descriptions of the setting and characters. <br />
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I ended up feeling disappointed in this book. I found that the plot moved forward at an extremely slow pace. I found myself skimming some parts later in the book simply because it was a chore to read this book. I found the summary of the book to be more interesting than the book actually was. I think the author could have made this book more interesting but focused too much on situations that did not help enough with the plot. I understand wanting to make readers connect with the characters, but it was too much description with little action for me.<br />
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I also thought that the plot seemed a little rushed at times when we were actually reading something that moved it forward because so much time had been spent on the minor details. It not only made the important parts seem rushed but it made the plot seem unrealistic. Our main character was suddenly figuring things out with hardly any time spent on his investigations. I think if there had been a little bit of balance between the descriptions and the plot the book would have been much more enjoyable. <br />
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If you like historical mysteries you could give this book a try, but it would not be my first recommendation.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<em>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book that I would not have gotten to as soon or heard about otherwise.</em><br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-45044695769825248992017-05-02T13:44:00.000-04:002017-05-02T13:44:26.663-04:00The Barrowfields<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lmvgXVruzBzo0q1FtGCxh3mN3COHv_UJKJ7AGsvA5XUvduF0x2mhyphenhyphennNgbtJ4C2h7-tASIL5brXn9bIDUjrLwV2c956lPACbS8YOloyvMhc3cS99Y9fMZP_syqwTt0ZJC3CIGy9g4fi0/s1600/9780451495648.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lmvgXVruzBzo0q1FtGCxh3mN3COHv_UJKJ7AGsvA5XUvduF0x2mhyphenhyphennNgbtJ4C2h7-tASIL5brXn9bIDUjrLwV2c956lPACbS8YOloyvMhc3cS99Y9fMZP_syqwTt0ZJC3CIGy9g4fi0/s320/9780451495648.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Just before Henry Astor is born, his father who has literary ambitions, and his pregnant wife reluctantly return to the small Appalachian town where Henry grew up. Henry grew up watching his brilliant father begin to unravel after a tragedy. Henry flees his family and small town, and as his father before him, does not return until forced to.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
I was surprised how much this story drew me in. I think the descriptions of place and character are what initially grab the reader's attention. After that you want to know what is going to happen to these characters who are faced with a reality more mundane than they planned for themselves. I think the despair and desire for more resonate with many and is also part of the greatness of this book.<br />
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I also like the gothic feel of the story when it describes the house the family lives in and how it almost seems to influence the family and their lives. It appeals to part of me that loves gothic stories. There are parts of the book that do not have this feeling, so I do not want to mislead, but I like the way the author is able to draw on different elements to create feelings in the reader.<br />
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I think this book will appeal to many who enjoy literary fiction and something that is different from the typical story. I think you have to like this sort of book to really get into, but if you allow yourself to just go with the flow of the story you will be surprised by how you feel while reading it.<br />
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**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have gotten to as soon or heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-63051009649714152022017-05-02T13:21:00.000-04:002017-05-02T13:21:55.302-04:00Maid Of The King's Court<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQQw9bjgCB256PZ9yDf9upuahXi_5wLgYtWjZKmyBXMZOIv_zAlxdH-BRnL8Q4SEpWBPP7AvdAIycK9cupnqQSciBW3sbb6rmndSwzAqKmzX6jFSO7UzC7LK_YRhJ_QCt_nli2SlYTYY/s1600/34331281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQQw9bjgCB256PZ9yDf9upuahXi_5wLgYtWjZKmyBXMZOIv_zAlxdH-BRnL8Q4SEpWBPP7AvdAIycK9cupnqQSciBW3sbb6rmndSwzAqKmzX6jFSO7UzC7LK_YRhJ_QCt_nli2SlYTYY/s320/34331281.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Elizabeth Rose Camperdowne is an heiress to an old impoverished noble family. Her duty is to marry a man of wealth and standing. She ends up in the royal court as a maid of honour to Anne of Cleves. Eliza must quickly learn to distinguish friend from foe if she is to survive in Henry the VIII's court. She is drawn to her glamorous cousin Katherine Howard, but must learn if she is a true friend or not. Eliza is also drawn to the unsuitable Ned Barsby, a handsome page at court.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
This is an historical fiction book meant for young adult readers. I start with that because I have read some complaints about the writing or implausibility of the love interest. I think it is important to remember the target audience and getting them interested in history. That being said, adults who are fans of stories about the Tudors will find this an interesting perspective. I liked learning about court and Katherine from a cousin who is learning her place in the world. Yes, Eliza is immature, but that is to be expected in a young girl brought up to expect great things of herself and who has been taught her own importance. We get to watch Eliza grow and change as she develops more awareness of the world and herself.<br />
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This was an easy to read book about life in the Tudor court. It could have had a little more depth, but it was still a good novel to read. The story flowed well, and I am looking forward to reading the author's historical works. I liked that you could tell the author had done plenty of research, and still made an interesting tale for young readers.<br />
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I think fans of Tudor historical fiction will want to read this and introduce young readers to the topic with this book.<br />
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*<i> </i>I won a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a book I would not have gotten to as soon, or heard about otherwise.</i><br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-15418647580290226202017-04-24T13:06:00.000-04:002017-04-24T13:06:23.481-04:00My Last Lament<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Book Description:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Aliki is one of the last of her kind. She is a lamenter who mourns and celebrates the passing of life. An American researcher asks Aliki to record her laments to capture the fading art of lamenting. Instead, Aliki sings her own story. We hear her experiences with the Nazi occupation of Greece, being a refugee, and survival.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
I thought this was a unique approach to an historical fiction story taking place during World War II. I liked the approach seeing a person's life through grief and survival and how that actually helps her live and cope with what has happened in her life.<br />
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Although some parts of the story go slow it is still interesting and powerful. You are brought through Aliki's life with the flow of grief. Some parts are vivid and dramatic while others are slow and we muddle through. I like how the reader is shown life in this intimate and dramatic way.<br />
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I think fans of historical fiction and World War II will be interested in reading this book. You will have to get into this different approach but I think it will appeal to a lot of readers looking for something a little different.<br />
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I read this as an ebook on my nook and had to use an alternative program to open the book but other than that had no issues with it.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from the Penguin First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a book I would not have gotten o as soon or heard about otherwise.</i><br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-41683421516107025692017-04-24T12:51:00.002-04:002017-04-24T12:51:47.976-04:00In The Name Of The Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In 1502 Rodrigo Borgia is now on the Papal throne as Alexander VI. His daughter Lucrezia is twenty-two and has been married three times to further the family ambitions. Cesare Borgia is ruthless and unstoppable. Cesare gets to know Machiavelli which benefits both in the long run. Which family member will have the skills to survive all their enemies?</div>
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This book is told from multiple character viewpoints. I honestly did not really care for this, as I had a hard time getting into the different character minds in this book. I think Lucrezia's story was told the best, although I really did not get into her story as well.</div>
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This book really dragged for me. It took me a really long time to get through, and most of the time an historical fiction book like this would not take me very long to read. The characters seemed very stereotypical, and I got tired of hearing everyone's thoughts on everything. The plot did not move forward very quickly and this was largely because the story was very focused on the characters and not moving the plot along.</div>
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I wish this book had pulled me in. I was excited to read this book, but that excitement quickly faded. Perhaps people who really like this author or the Borgias will find something redeeming in it. This book did not work for me.</div>
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*I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.</div>
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book did not change my review. It simply provided me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or a book I would not have heard about otherwise.</i></div>
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-45370247312001900322017-04-06T13:13:00.000-04:002017-04-06T13:13:10.349-04:00The Woman In The Castle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAWkXdM2MBov8T0GiNRIthZ0_3Quq2CA4IhP8eBMJTCvcLEWLijo141HPtRPQxNSZZEX2nxd9c9fqSoETib0XU5WWw2bvccfRyQOKW7uefKaAdGI8-2hLq1T_z-sbWv9UtD20hK2YmFc/s1600/30653967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAWkXdM2MBov8T0GiNRIthZ0_3Quq2CA4IhP8eBMJTCvcLEWLijo141HPtRPQxNSZZEX2nxd9c9fqSoETib0XU5WWw2bvccfRyQOKW7uefKaAdGI8-2hLq1T_z-sbWv9UtD20hK2YmFc/s320/30653967.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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Three widows fate become intertwined as they live their lives in a crumbling Bavarian castle at the end of World War II. Marianne tries to make a makeshift family from what is left of her husband's resistance movement. She struggles as she realizes the post war world is more complicated than her life previous to the war. Each woman must come to terms with their past and present as they struggle to survive.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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I found this book to present an interesting perspective(s) on World War II. I found the women intriguing. Each of their stories pulled you in making you feel you were there with them. I liked that while some circumstances united them, they were very different in their experiences and their views on life. This was not a simple story about good vs. evil. I loved all the shades in this book. It made the story much more believable and enjoyable.<br />
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I also liked that this book focused on women and the struggles they faced after World War II. I thought that it was a realistic portrayal of the struggles women faced without over glorifying the women presented. Each makes mistakes and has their points where you route for them and when you despise their actions. To me, this is what made the book so gripping.<br />
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If you like historical fiction about World War II I highly recommend reading this book.<br />
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*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the Goodreads First Reads Program.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-33215507619130702672017-03-03T13:54:00.000-05:002017-03-03T13:54:02.003-05:00As Red As Blood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp0OqSum9PnSP_oqdJ0q24SM4o2az4iiaJf4BbcLk-be2Ze1xUeZ8J4NYk0c2UeXNoPJbGta0J1xU4vU1u56kKX4sqb9SJfrIjB7l9a2gKUAXoqW79289mNt1hqbyhklNUkgSm6EAo7k/s1600/9781524713416.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp0OqSum9PnSP_oqdJ0q24SM4o2az4iiaJf4BbcLk-be2Ze1xUeZ8J4NYk0c2UeXNoPJbGta0J1xU4vU1u56kKX4sqb9SJfrIjB7l9a2gKUAXoqW79289mNt1hqbyhklNUkgSm6EAo7k/s320/9781524713416.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Lumikki Andersson has a rule that she does not get involved in other people's business. She does not like the trouble that comes along with getting involved with other people's problems. Her roles goes out the window when she uncovers thousands of Euros hung to dry in the school's darkroom and three of her class mates with blood on their hands. Caught in a web of deception and lies, Lumikki must avoid those who are determined to get the money back at all cost. Lumikki must uncover the entire operation of the mythical drug lord the Polar Bear if she is to survive.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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I am a huge fan of fairy tales and creative retellings of the classic tales. I thought this was an interesting retelling of a classic tale. I liked the mystery aspect of the story and thought it was an unique approach. I would definitely say you have to read more than the first chapter. The first chapter is setting up our mystery, and you have to continue on to get to know the main characters.<br />
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I liked that this was not the typical fairy tale retelling. Most fairy tales have a romance as one of the main plot lines, and there was not a romantic focus in the story. It was a quick read and I enjoyed getting absorbed in the tale. A great book for adults and young adults.<br />
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I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. If you like young adult mysteries and fairy tale retellings I recommend reading this book.<br />
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** I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to, or heard about otherwise.</i><br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-4009309423365446972017-03-03T13:16:00.000-05:002017-03-03T13:16:30.205-05:00Bookworms Read: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRkgfSffL2Qy_pXZh9SrpNAgs6dK4vpW6uU6BkzLPjOqOX0TTClq4U6V5Lfw2ck7pnKgeJMvHsVLgVNl-Hpr87yTfzYXbkLjon0gPl5FiwlG3ofyHYQr-vF0AZ0-DNdPpv3WvPf_HVrk/s1600/PeregrinePeculiarChildren.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRkgfSffL2Qy_pXZh9SrpNAgs6dK4vpW6uU6BkzLPjOqOX0TTClq4U6V5Lfw2ck7pnKgeJMvHsVLgVNl-Hpr87yTfzYXbkLjon0gPl5FiwlG3ofyHYQr-vF0AZ0-DNdPpv3WvPf_HVrk/s320/PeregrinePeculiarChildren.jpeg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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After a death in his family, Jacob travels to a remote island to learn more about his family history. He discovers the ruins of Miss Peregrine's home for children. In the ruins he learns more about the children that lived there, and that they might have been kept on the island because they were dangerous. He also discovers they might still be alive.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b></div>
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I was very excited to read this with the Bookworms. I really like this series, and I love the mix of fantasy and a little historical fiction. To be clear, most of it is fantasy but I enjoy the setting and use of old photographs to make the story seem like it actually happened. </div>
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I think this is a great book to start young readers into a slightly more advanced reading set. It is easy to follow, exciting, and of course, there are awesome peculiarities that would be fun to have. The topics while geared toward young adults are not to advanced for the 10-12 year olds. The Bookworms were thrilled when they found out about the movie coming out, and immediately made plans to see it.</div>
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<b><i>The Bookworms' Thoughts:</i></b></div>
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This was the twenty-third book the Bookworms read together. This was my pick for the group. I had read the series before as well as the graphic novel. It is a world I love returning to and was excited to introduce the Bookworms to it. We had a great time discussing what peculiarities we would like, would we want to live forever, and what they thought of the pictures in the book. Here are some of the Bookworms' thoughts on the book. Warning! There may be some spoilers.</div>
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Q&A With The Bookworms Book Club</span></i></b></div>
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<b>How many stars out of 5 would you give this book?</b></div>
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> 10 stars. I read the graphic novel version, and I really liked it.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> 4-5 stars. I couldn't decide how many to give it.</div>
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<b>What was your favourite part?</b></div>
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> Whenever they would try to freak Jacob out by using their abilities.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> when they put the masks on and scare Jacob.</div>
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<b>What peculiarity would you like to have?</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> Levitating.</div>
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> I think I would like to levitate or telekinesis or to read minds!</div>
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<b>Whitney:</b> What if you couldn't control the ability like some of the peculiars? Would you like to be tied down to keep from flying away?</div>
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<b>Both: </b>No!! I would want to be able to control it. It isn't as much fun if you don't have a choice.</div>
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<b>Would you like to live in a loop?</b></div>
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<b>Both:</b> No!</div>
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> I wouldn't like to live forever.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> I think it would be annoying to live forever. You would know everything. There would be nothing new.</div>
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<b>Would you read the next book in the series?</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> Yeah I would finish the series.</div>
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> Yes.</div>
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<b>Would you see the movie?</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> I'll definitely see it.</div>
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> Yes I think so.</div>
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Thank you to the Bookworms for reading and reviewing this book with me. I had a lot of fun and look forward to our next book.</div>
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-83472650583475031982017-02-13T11:59:00.000-05:002017-02-13T11:59:47.685-05:00The Drifter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWl98peNHuLxZ1211sW2kMF5SQS91x_REKcynIVPwfrSIV_XTn1zLlK1x-ORPxYUg2xTNUDh6oe4C3b8ae2JUOQkWCSkoPfZUvvOiBySEJgCc3z3P4-lCTqDuhndci_nWi9xXSNXR0RYQ/s1600/30319967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWl98peNHuLxZ1211sW2kMF5SQS91x_REKcynIVPwfrSIV_XTn1zLlK1x-ORPxYUg2xTNUDh6oe4C3b8ae2JUOQkWCSkoPfZUvvOiBySEJgCc3z3P4-lCTqDuhndci_nWi9xXSNXR0RYQ/s320/30319967.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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For two decades Elizabeth has been trying to escape her past which is full of painful memories. Finally, she can run from her past no more. She must confront her terrifying nightmares if she is to be able to live now.<br />
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We learn about Elizabeth's history at college with her two closest friends. Everything seems perfect for them. Without warning their whole lives change. A series of violent acts ensure that even those that survive will be changed forever. Elizabeth must face the fact she had a role in her friend's death if she will ever have normal relationships again.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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This book was promoted as a thrilling mystery. I would say it is closer to fiction than mystery. The premise sounded interesting to me. A woman who has been living in denial, but is forced to face her past and the death of her friend seemed like it had a lot of potential. I think it fell a little flat for me. Mostly because it was portrayed differently than it should have been in my opinion.<br />
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I also thought that the book could have been a little shorter than it was. There were a lot of details that I really did not need to get into the story. It took me a while to read mostly because it did not hold my interest. There were parts that were really interesting, but it would lag in between.<br />
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Overall, I would say give it a try if the description interests you.<br />
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<i>*</i>I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have gotten to as soon, or heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-60262898833204897192017-02-03T13:07:00.000-05:002017-02-03T13:07:23.766-05:00Scars Of Independence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIPWiXxKwRr9dbrpbSssnFcYVNNsuuGE7WSM8soieUf5LDbchg0gXFAsh0B38qPmoJXk0y_DwVW5UMItFM-13hei_2ScZzij5F2PBXIXG6AF6oNSWXK6t_I9F4palZRRd4tVPb1MNOps/s1600/31453065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIPWiXxKwRr9dbrpbSssnFcYVNNsuuGE7WSM8soieUf5LDbchg0gXFAsh0B38qPmoJXk0y_DwVW5UMItFM-13hei_2ScZzij5F2PBXIXG6AF6oNSWXK6t_I9F4palZRRd4tVPb1MNOps/s320/31453065.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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When we think of the American Revolution, we think of brave patriots fighting for a noble cause. It is a narrative the founding fathers encouraged after the war. Hoock argues, there is a more complex truth to the story. He claims the Revolution was not simply a battle over principles, but a violent civil war that continues to shape the American nation to this day. We read of tortured Loyalists, British troops massacring enemy soldiers and rape of local women, the forced conscription of African Americans, and Washington's genocidal campaign against the Iroquois.<br />
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Hoock is trying to bring to light a more honest approach to the American Revolution, hoping to show how it continues to impact American culture to this day.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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I found the description of this book very interesting, and was very excited to read this book. I found it well written and a very interesting read. I thought there were important parts of American history presented. While the information is not all new, it brings together less savoury parts of history to let the reader make new connections and acknowledge that the violence that was an important part of American history.<br />
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I found it very intriguing to read how the Americans were very strategic in how they chose to be violent or avoid violence in certain situations knowing how it would look to citizens, making a huge difference in the outcome of the war.<br />
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I did appreciate that Hoock looked at the violence from Americans and British during the war and how each side approached violence. It is good to remember that neither side was blameless, and how they each used violent tactics or propaganda to help their cause. It was interesting to see how this shaped the outcome of the war and the future of America.<br />
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If you are looking for a different perspective on the American Revolution this is a book you should read. I highly recommend reading this book.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or one I might not have heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-11547774019877696182017-01-21T18:25:00.001-05:002017-01-21T18:25:58.571-05:00The Witch Of Lime Street<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AGvSL-bkaXS6Ya7FL7UIHXOTvMnBDM89XM86AMI7wOXghPG0QoAuZGM1Noyok4q98RFm_mJatkQjKH0vpT3ZqCFVd6f27ItMqwUii1SjgKRBzGYh_v-6i-tZxL4MxdK5IIkY-PpUuds/s1600/9780307451071.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AGvSL-bkaXS6Ya7FL7UIHXOTvMnBDM89XM86AMI7wOXghPG0QoAuZGM1Noyok4q98RFm_mJatkQjKH0vpT3ZqCFVd6f27ItMqwUii1SjgKRBzGYh_v-6i-tZxL4MxdK5IIkY-PpUuds/s320/9780307451071.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Synopsis:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
The rivalry between Houdini and Margery A.K.A. "The Witch of Lime Street" is presented in astonishing detail. Margery embodied the national debate over spiritualism. Many were trying to prove with science that people really could communicate with the dead. One of Margery's biggest advocates was none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He was the one who urged her to enter the Scientific American contest to prove to five judges that she was the real deal. She managed to convince four of the judges. The one hold out, Harry Houdini.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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I thought this was a great story. And it was made even better by the fact that I had never heard of it before. I had no idea that Scientific American offered a cash prize to the person who convince their five judges they were an authentic medium. I was very pleased with Houdini being one of the judges and found it interesting that he had dabbled in these sort of shows for a time. I found myself enjoying the journey with Houdini. I too wanted to figure out exactly how Margery and others were doing their shows.<br />
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I did think the book dragged in a couple places where it got bogged down in some details, but overall the book was very interesting, and I could not wait to get to the end and discover who would triumph, Houdini or the Witch of Lime Street? I enjoyed the build up and found it surprising how well documented their rivalry was.<br />
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If you want to learn about a fun part of American history, this is a great book to read.<br />
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**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have gotten to as soon or heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-36320262789684514392016-12-24T08:05:00.000-05:002016-12-24T08:05:16.317-05:00The Voyages Of Captain James Cook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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In 1766 the Royal Society chose James Cook to lead a South Pacific voyage. He was to chart the path of Venus across the sun. After completing his task, he continued to explore the southern hemisphere for the imagined continent Terra Australis. This voyage lasted from 1768-71. He kept journals on the expedition which made him a celebrity when he returned home. He had scientists and artists traveling with him who also documented the voyage. Some of the charts he created were still used in the 1990s.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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This book was such an adventure to read. I really liked reading parts of Captain Cook's journals while seeing different pictures of what he was describing. Some are from artists aboard his ship, while others are more modern. I found myself liking both, but really appreciated it when the illustrations were from people also on the voyage experiencing what Captain Cook was describing in a similar way. The modern pictures did not take away from the experience. I think they helped to enhance it. Both the historical and modern pictures complemented the writing.<br />
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I knew Captain Cook traveled a lot, but was impressed by all the different places and observations this work contained. He went to the South Pacific, South America, Antartica, New Zealand, the Pacific Coast from California to Alaska, the Arctic Circle, Siberia, the East Indies, and the Indian Ocean. I found it absolutely incredible that he went to all of these places in the 1700s. This book takes you on an adventure to all of these places. The writing is intriguing and keeps you very interested in the book.<br />
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If you are interested in reading some of Captain Cook's journal entries, I highly recommend reading this version. It is well organized and a beautiful edition.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner than I would have gotten to it or book I would not have heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-25560524679413423542016-12-10T07:54:00.000-05:002016-12-10T07:54:30.947-05:00The Fleet At Flood Tide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>The Fleet At Flood Tide</i> details the United States Pacific War campaign during World War II. From the strategic seizure of the Marianas to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we learn of the forerunners to today's Navy SEALS, aircraft carrier power, aerial battles, and naval battles. Not only do we read about the battles, but the leaders of those battles.<br />
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This is a very detailed account of the United States' war in the Pacific. I found this very interesting to read as I have read a lot about World War II, but not very much about the Pacific part of the War. I thought that this was an excellent book to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. I am certain there is still much to learn, but found this to be a good source to begin learning about the Pacific theatre. To be clear, this is during the years 1944-5. So if you want to read about Pearl Harbour you should read a different book.<br />
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I thought this was a very detailed account of the battles in World War II Pacific theatre. I would say you need to be prepared for that when reading this book. There were a few times I felt overwhelmed with the details, but that is mainly because a lot of the names and specifics of the battles were new to me.<br />
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I did really like the different perspectives he gave while writing this book. We do not only read the American perspective. We read what civilians thought about soldiers coming into their homelands. We learn about Japanese soldiers, and regular American soldiers, not just the men at the top.<br />
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I would recommend this book if you are interested in the United States' Navy, and detailed accounts of World War II. I have not read any of this author's other books, but he has several about the Navy in World War II if you are interested in reading more of his work on the subject.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have gotten to as soon or heard about otherwise.</i></div>
bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-10973639778533764052016-11-12T08:31:00.000-05:002016-11-12T08:31:00.297-05:00Nourishing Meals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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This is a cookbook from two popular bloggers that have gathered healthy recipes for families. They are whole foods recipes, and every recipe is free of common allergens of gluten, soy, eggs, dairy as well as refined sugar. There are tips on how to transition into eating this way wether you are needing to switch to an allergen free diet or just want to eat a little healthier, this cookbook will help you do it.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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Many people in my family are allergic to different foods, so I was very interested in trying out these recipes. It is always nice to have some delicious meals that you know everyone will be okay eating. I was impressed by the sheer number of recipes in this book. There is great variety and some truly delicious sounding dishes.<br />
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This is a picture of the finished meal. I decided to make the Orange Pepper Salmon, the Fresh Cauliflower Salad, and the Yam Fries. This was a colourful meal. It had good flavours. I will say we were not blown away by the dishes, but they were good. I liked the idea of the Cauliflower Salad the most. It was a new way of using cauliflower which was a great find.</div>
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The Cauliflower Salad had a nice crunch to it. I also liked the flavours in this dish. It was really easy to make, and I will probably make it again.</div>
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The Orange Pepper Salmon was easy to make. I liked it fine, but it did not really stand out to me. I did like the simple ingredients used.</div>
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The Yam Fries were good. I am partial to sweet potatoes. Again really easy to make. This recipe only called for a few ingredients. The fries did take a little more prep time but they tasted good.</div>
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Overall I would say if you are looking for a cookbook that has a lot of recipes that are allergen free this would be a great cookbook. Even if you were looking for more healthy recipes this would be a great place to start. I will say the one thing that I could see being problematic is many of the recipes require items that the average person might not keep on their shelves. Tapioca Flour, Chia Seeds, Coconut Flour, Rye Flour, Mung Bean Sprouts, Figs, etc. If you are trying to eat this way though, it will help you switch over which is extremely helpful. If you are not looking to completely change your diet this might not be the cookbook for you.</div>
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**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for and honest review**</div>
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book sooner that I would have gotten to it or heard about otherwise.</i></div>
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-71367530144385052112016-11-12T08:07:00.000-05:002016-11-12T08:07:57.822-05:00Women Heroes Of World War II: The Pacific Theater<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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This book contains fifteen stories of resistance, rescue, sabotage, and survival of women in the pacific during World War II. They were nurses, war correspondents, singers, and every day people who decided to act to help their countries during the war. They refused to sit on the side lines while events unfolded around them.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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This book has been on my to read list for a while. I was happy to get the chance to finally read it. This is a collection of fifteen incredible stories of women taking action. There are many more of these stories from World War II, but this collection is a wonderful place to start.<br />
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I think what impressed me the most was the variety of experiences these women had. Although there are some similarities in a few of the stories, there really is an uniqueness to each woman's story. I think this is a wonderful tribute to the brave actions they took. I liked how many of the women found themselves in this situation, and rose to the occasion. They chose to act when they could have tried to wait out the war. I found the stories inspiring, and appreciate the service of these women.<br />
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I will say that some of the women experienced truly horrific events, which can be difficult to read. I note this simply because if younger readers are to read it they should be prepared. I do think we owe it to them to not forget what happened. I think it makes my appreciation for them even higher when I and other readers understand that these are not just women that did a few things that helped the war. They made tremendous sacrifices that continued to affect them their whole lives.<br />
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I think this book is an excellent way to start learning about history. It is divided into sections by area. So it is really easy to find stories of women in China or Okinawa. I also like that after each woman's story, there is a Learn More section. It provides sources to read more in depth about a woman if you found her story particularly interesting.<br />
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I previously read <i><a href="http://bbibooks.blogspot.com/2016/07/women-heroes-of-american-revolution.html">Women Heroes of the American Revolution</a></i> and also really enjoyed it. I have found this series to be excellent, and I cannot wait to read more book in the Women in Action series. I love that this series is bringing attention to the roles women have had in history, and will continue to read their books. The series is also at a level that younger readers could read about these incredible women and enjoy the books.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for and honest review.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have gotten to as soon, or heard about otherwise.</i><br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-60233668714272388302016-11-12T07:42:00.001-05:002016-11-12T07:42:44.329-05:00Gathering Blue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In a society run by savagery and deceit Kira is left an orphan. In her society the weak are discarded and since she is physically flawed she must face those that would remove her from their group. Fortunately, she has an almost magic like talent that people high in the society want her to use for their benefit. As she works, Kira tries to discover the truth about her world, and will not stop no matter the consequences. If she finds the truth, it will alter her world forever.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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I have always enjoyed <i>The Giver</i>, So I was happy that the Bookworms wanted to read the second book in the series. I think some people find it a little confusing that this book does not immediately follow the events that took place at the end of <i>The Giver</i>. Instead, it shows how other people are living outside Jonas' community. Here is the link to the Bookworms review of <i><a href="http://bbibooks.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-giver_17.html">The Giver</a></i>.<br />
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I think this and the other books in the series are great for young readers. They bring up a lot of talking points about society, what we value, and what our own responsibilities are. I also like that the main character in this book is a girl. So the series provides different viewpoints so more readers can identify easier with the story.<br />
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<b><i>The Bookworms Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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This was the twenty-second book the Bookworms read together. This was Alejandro's pick for us. He, and the rest of us really enjoyed <i>The Giver</i>, and wanted to read it again. He decided that maybe we should read the second book instead of rereading <i>The Giver</i>. We had a good time comparing <i>The Giver </i>and <i>Gathering Blue</i>, how we view people, and how important our actions are. Here are some of the Bookworms thoughts on the story. Warning! There may be some spoilers.<br />
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.199999809265137px;"><i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Q&A With The Bookworms Book Club</span></i></b><br />
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<b>How many stars out of 5 would you give this book?</b><br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> 3<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> 3 1/2<br />
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Just as a comparison, <span style="color: #38761d;">Alejandro</span> rated <i>The Giver</i> at 5 stars and <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Paige</span> gave it 4 1/2.<br />
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<b>Why do you think this story is called <i>Gathering Blue?</i></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> I didn't really think about it.<br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> Because they went to find what makes blue and found it. But they also found other things.<br />
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<b>What did you think of a girl being the main character when a boy was in the first book?</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> It was a different twist, but I didn't like her story as much. It was boring.<br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> Yes, her story was not as exciting.<br />
<b>Both</b> Jonas' story was much more exciting.<br />
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<b>Which community would you rather live in, Jonas' or Kira's?</b><br />
<b>Both</b> Jonas'<br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> Jonas' has real jobs. Kira's has no jobs or they seem like really strange jobs.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> Both seem like they are sometimes fun but weird.<br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> I do think Jonas' community was more controlling but things weren't as whacky.<br />
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<b>Which community is more like your community?</b><br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> I think mine is more like Kira's because it is more free.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span>Yes. Kira's. Because I can do a lot of things.<br />
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<b>What did you think about the rule that girls cannot read?</b><br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> I thought it was cool that one boy helped Kira learn. It was clever to get around the rule.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> I think it was a stupid rule. Girls can read and it is a good experience to read.<br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> I didn't like the rule. I think everyone should get to read. Reading makes life funner.<br />
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<b>Since you did not enjoy this book as much, would read the last two books in the series?</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> I think I would read it after I finish other books I am reading.<br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> I will probably read the last ones.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Alejandro's Questions:</b></span><br />
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<b>Did you like this book better than <i>The Giver</i>?</b><br />
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Alejandro</b> It was not as good as <i>The Giver</i>.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Paige</span> Yeah the first book was better.<br />
<b>Whitney</b> I like the first book the best of the series.<br />
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<b>Who do you think the boy at the end of the book was?</b><br />
<b>All</b> Jonas!<br />
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Thank you Bookworms for reading and reviewing this book with me. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to our next book.<br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503930464769841308.post-45662509342900424922016-11-06T08:05:00.000-05:002016-11-06T08:05:44.896-05:00Moon Chosen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NtHuxaaCipJuPYOkoCl7o2g6yZ4tzQx68xNuZQSQOnl83iJm9xE4SfamORAKlhc9vs8IsOIVRlTm3mgNDJ1HPDXFy7jTyaj3yfDsNcBK2aocc_6d0swZS7dtg58VtQBIafEUKhcZVwM/s1600/29102956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NtHuxaaCipJuPYOkoCl7o2g6yZ4tzQx68xNuZQSQOnl83iJm9xE4SfamORAKlhc9vs8IsOIVRlTm3mgNDJ1HPDXFy7jTyaj3yfDsNcBK2aocc_6d0swZS7dtg58VtQBIafEUKhcZVwM/s320/29102956.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Book Summary:</i></b><br />
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Mari is an Earth Walker with incredible healing abilities. Her life changes when she is chosen by a canine to be companions. An attack from her clan's enemies alters her course even further when people she love die and are captured. Mari must adapt to her new circumstances to survive. She embarks on a mission to save her people. One that forces her to ally with her enemy. She must choose wisely if she is to save herself and her people.<br />
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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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<i>Moon Chosen</i> was the first book I read by this author. The description caught my attention. I am always looking for new worlds in the books I read, and this one seemed as if it had promise. I thought the world building was intense. There was a lot of information from the characters to the plants they used for healing and eating. I thought it was interesting how developed this world was. I do wish the author had streamlined the information a little more. Sometimes I felt the plot was lost in the details. Perhaps a little more balance in the next book with what details are shared and when would make the story flow more. It would help readers really become absorbed in this world.<br />
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I admit I struggled with the first portion of the book. Part of it was because of the amount of details and how they were presented as mentioned above. Also, many of the details were repeated when it was unnecessary to do so. When there are so many details already, repeating them does not help the reader stay with the story.<br />
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I think the other reason I had trouble was the main character Mari. Despite her age, her speech, thoughts, and actions seemed very juvenile. Her character did develop more as the story went on, which helped. But I really did not care for her. It took a good portion of the 600 page book to really feel some depth to the characters. I frequently felt my attention wander while reading. I think if it had been edited a little the plot would have been a little quicker, and might have been more engaging.<br />
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I am not certain if I will continue with this series. I do appreciate good world building, and perhaps now that many of those details have been given the next book will be more captivating. I did think there were some intriguing new story ideas.<br />
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I have heard good things about this author, so maybe this just was not the book to start with. I might try some of her other series to discover if it was just this series that did not appeal to me. If you are looking for a new world with lots of details you might be interested in this book.<br />
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*I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Read Program.<br />
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*<i>Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book that I would not have gotten to as soon, or heard about otherwise.</i><br />
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bittycornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14416707361286434579noreply@blogger.com0